campbell



Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A. CAMPBELL.

CONVERTIBLE BOX CAR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. Io. 192|.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR. ryj/e ffgel BY/, W75/ ATTORNEY.

WITNESS A. CAMPBELL.

` CONVERTIBLE Box CAR.

APPLICATION'FILED MAR. I0, 1921.

ATTORNEY.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

l Patented Nov. 29, 1921.`

QV G O O O O O O O NNPWf www. NN

A. CAMPBELL.

CONVERTIBLE BOX CAR.

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A. CAMPBELL.

CONVERTIBLE BOX CAR.

AFPLIcATIoII FILED IIIAII. I0. 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARGYLE CAMPBELL, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ENTERPRISE RAILWAY EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CONVERTIBLE BOX-CAR.

Application filed March 10, 1921.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ARGYLE CAMPBELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Convertible Box- Cars, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in convertible box cars.

In the operation of railroads, there is a constantly increasing demand for more continuous use of all rolling stock and particularly in connection with box cars. At certain seasons of the year, especially in the case of t-he so-called grain-carrying roads, there is a heavy demand for box cars for the transportation of grains and in the intervening periods, the demand for said cars on those roads is appreciably less and large numbers of the box cars are frequently employed in other sections of the country in the carrying of packaged loads or other loads which are not of a fluid nature. It is highly desirable that all box cars be interchangeably adapted for the carrying of either packaged loads or loads of a iuid character such as grain in order to maintain such box cars constantly in productive operation. An essential characteristic of such a convertible car is that, when it is not being employed for the carrying of grain, no capacity shall be lost or interference permitted with the loading or unloading of the packages, boxes or the like. Another essential characteristic of a successful convertible box car of the type indicated is that the means employed to convert the car shall not be of excessive weight 0r excessive in cost of manufacture or application.

One object of my invention is to provide a convertible box car having a simple, efficient and economical arrangement whereby the car is adapted for use either as an ordinary box car to carry so-called packaged loads without loss of carrying capacity or as a car to carry bulk loads such as grain, coal. or like commodities wherein sufficient of the load may be easily discharged to re-.

lieve the pressure behind the necessary inside door to permit opening of the latter.

Aanother object of my invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive, highly etli- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

serial No. 451,409.

cient, and substantial arrangement for insuring a perfect grain seal around the meeting edges of the iixed part of a discharge hopper and door for closing the discharge opening.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a car having a discharge hopper, elicient and simple means for securely locking the door of the hopper in closed position combined with grain sealing means supplementary to those employed between the door and fixed parts of the hopper.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a side elevation of a portion of a convertible box car taken at the center thereof at the usual side door opening and in which are embodied my improvements. F ig. 2 is a horizontal, sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 and corresponding substantially to the section line 2-2 thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical, sectional view corresponding substantially to the section line 8-3 of Fig. 2, the section of Fig. 3 being so taken as to illustrate the farther interior side' of the car. Fig. l is a vertical, transverse, sectional view of the car corresponding substantially to the section line el--t of Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a vertical, sectional view similar to Fig. a, but corresponding to the section line 5-5 of Fig. l. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view illustrating more particularly the arrangement at the meeting edges of the hopper bottom and door, said section corresponding substantially to the line 6-6 of Fig. l. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view illustrating more particularly the arrangement for pivotally attaching the hopper door and forming a grain seal at the point of attachment, said view corresponding to avportion of Fig. 1l. And Fig. 8 is a detail section corresponding to the section line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

In said drawings, the box car is shown as having the usual side walls 10-10, with the usual side door openings ll, ordinarily placed at the center lof the car. The sides of each door opening are defined by vertically extending Z-bars 12-12 secured to the outer side of the side wall sheathing and posts 13-13 mounted in one of the angles of the Z-bars, the arrangement being such that notches or rabbets 14: are formed between the vertical terminal edges of the sheathing and the posts 13 as best indicated in 2, the depth of said notches equaling the thickness of the side wall sheathing. The car is also provided with a xed flooring 15, except that elongated discharge openings of rectangular form 16 are provided immediately adjacent and opposite each side door opening of the car. As best seen in Fig. Zl, the underframe of the car comprises channel center sills 1'? and channel side walls 18, the latter iaving their flanges 18a-18a turned inwardly and preferably there is an angle iron 19 secured to each side sill channel so as to secure a wider bearing for supporting the threshold 20. The underframe of the car also ,includes pressed diaphragme 21 extending between the center sill and side sills, only those two diaphragme 21 being shown in Fig. 3 which normally come adjacent the side door openings.

In the drawings, the illustrations of my improvements are confined mostly to the arrangement at one side of the car only but, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the arrangements will preferably be duplicated on each side of the center sill but for descriptive purposes, the arrangement on one side only need be set forth.

To normally close each floor opening 16 when the car is being` utilized for the carrying of package freight and the like, I employ a floor door 22 preferably made of planks corresponding .to the usual floor planking, said planks being suitably bound by marginal metal strips 22-22 and the door reinforced on its under side by a plurality of angle irons 22. Said door 22 is preferably pivoted near its outer edge as indicated by the pivot lugs 23 at a point immediately above the upper flange 18 of the side sill and substantially in al inement with the side wall sheathing of the car. Said door 22 is adapted to be swung upwardly to a vertical position as indicated by the dotted lines 122 in Fig. 4t where it forms a partial closure for the side door opening. ln this connection, it is to be observed that the length of the door corresponds subs antially to the distance between the vertical edges of lthe side wall sheathing so that said part of the bracket 25 and an arm 25a, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Preferably, the inner face of each arm 25L will be beveled so as to cam or wedge the latchV 24 tightly against the door 22 in holding the latter in place. For convenience in lifting the'door 22, it may be provided with a pair of rings 22e-22C, as shown in Fig. 2.

As best shown in Fig. 4L, the outer edge of the door 22 when in normal horizontal position is afforded a substantial support by the top flange 18l of the side sill. The inner edge of the door is afforded a substantial support by means of a longitudinally extending angle iron 26 which extends between and is secured at its ends to the two diaphragme 21-21, before mentioned. A supplemental support'for said angle iron 26 at its center is afforded by a pressed filler plate 27 secured at its inner end to the adjacent center sill 17. Preferably, the upper flange of the angle iron 26 extends partially under the edge of the adjacent portion of the fixed floor.

As shown in the drawings, the width of the door 22 is made proximately half the distance between the side sill and the center sill for the reason that it is not advisable, ordinarily to make such a floor door extend entirely between the side sill and center sill. On this acount, when the door 22 is in vertical position, it will not extend high enough to provide for the retaining of a full load of grain or other so-called fluid commodities and it is therefore advisable to provide extensions for the closure of the side doors 22. For this purpose, I provide two or more floor door extensions indicated generally? by the reference characters A-A in Fig. 1.

Each of said extensions A-A preferably consists of a double layer of boards or planks suitably bound by metal strips and the thickness of which corresponds to the thickness of the floor door Said extension boards A-A are loosely stored within the hopper, hereinafter described, and when desired for use, are applied on edge above the vertically positioned floor door and held in place by additional latches similar to those referenced 241 and heretofore described. As will be understood, the length of the extension boards Ar--A corresponds to the length of the door 22 andhence the same will lit within the grooves or rabbets 14 when in operative position.

The hopper which I provide on each side of the car beneath each floor door 22 may be foined of sheet metal as shown and will have sbstan ti ally triangular shaped end hopper sheets 28-28 and a downwardly and outwardly sloping bottom sheet 29. The former are secured at their upper edges to the diaphragms 21 and the bottom sheet 29 at its upper edge to the angle iron 26. The end sheets 28 are inwardly deflected near their top edges as indicated at @8L-23:l in Fig. 3 so as to bring the distance between the main portions of said hopper end sheets slightly greater than the length of the floor door and door extensions A-A The hopper bottom sheet 29 is suitably braced at spaced intervals preferably by angle irons 30--30 which are run crosswise of the car and secured to the center sills and to the filler plate 27, the outer ends of said angle irons 30 being downwardly bent as indicated at 30@L to conform to the slope of the hopper bottom sheet 29.

The discharge opening of the hopper is closed by a hopper door designated generally by the reference character B. The latter is preferably of sheet metal pressed to the desired shape and as shown, has an upper rounded or curled edge 3l, a lower outwardly extended and curved edge 32 and outturned flanged side edges 33 united with the main part of the door by rounded corners 33a. The door B is braced on its outer side by a plurality of vertically extending angles 34 and by a longitudinally extending angle 35.

As is well known, it is necessary to provide a grain seal along all meeting edges of a Cloer and fixed part of a hopper in order to prevent leakage and avoid claims for losses against the railroads. To provide the grain seal along the upper pivoted edge of my hopper door B, I employ a longitudinally extending member designated generally by the reference C, as best shown in Figs. l and 7. Said member C entends the full length of the door B and is of substantially inverted trough shape in cross section and comprises an upper horizontal web 36 adapted to be secured to the lower flange 18 of the side sill, an outer longitudinally and downwardly extended flange 37 and an inner longitudinally and downwardly extended flange 38. Each of said flanges 37 and 38 is preferably curved to conform to the curva ture of the curled edge 3l of the door and so disposed that there are at least three lines of contact afforded between said curled edge 31 and the member C, one such line of contact being between the curled edge and the flange 38, another between the curled edge and the horizontal web 36 and the third between the curled edge and the flange 37. In this manner I obtain at least three lines of sealing contact which are always operative regardless of the position of the door and which at the same time permit the swinging of the door about its pivotal anis as hereinbefore described. Furthermore, the member C affords an unusually strong brace and protection for the relatively thin sheet metal curled edge of the door. It is obvious that the member C may be readily attached to the usual construction of car underframe without modification of the latter.

To provide for the pivotal movements of the door B, I employ preferably four T-bolts each designated generally by the reference character D. Each of said bolts, as best shown in Fig. 7, has a vertically extended 7 0 threaded shank 39 and cylindrical horizontally extending branches 4l() at its bottom, the latter loosely fitting within the curled edge 3l.

To allow forllthe swinging movements of the door, the curled edge is slotted as indicated at lll. where the shank 39 passes through. The shank of each bolt passes through suitable alined perforations in the member C, the lower flange 1S of the side sill and a horizontally extending flange of an angle iron l2 secured to the inner side of the web of the side sill. Each nlbolt is held in position by a nut 43 and preferably lock washer lll and locking clip 4:5. By employing a threaded shank on the T-bolt l), I am enabled to eifect any desired adjustment and desired degree of between the curled edge of the door and the cogerating sealing member C.

As shown best in Fig. 3, the outturned flanges 33 on the ends or side edges of the 90 door fit within correspondingly offset flanges 133 pressed in the end hopper sheets 28 so that a grain seal is effected along these meeting edges of the door and hopper proper.

To provide the grain seal between the hopper bottom 9.9 and lower horizontally extending edge of the door I employ a longitudinally extending bulb angle iron i6 secured to the under of the bottom sheet 29 and having its bulb 46 thereof projecting outwardly beyond the edge of the sheet. The rounded edge of the bulb 46 conforms to the curved flange 32 of the door B. rllhe termini of the angle irons 30 maybe riveted to the flange 4&6" of the bulb angle and it will be evident that the bulb angle also affords substantial bracing for the lower edge of the hopper bottom sheet 29.

also to supl edge of 'the door, I employ the mcchai'iism. Secured to each hop,

sheet 23 on the outer side thereof,

llow in end with the bulb and the convexly curved flange ci the door, respectively, and furthermore that flange of the angle iron 51 which engages the flange olf the door Will serve to cam the latter snugly up against the bulb proper l.vhen the shaft is rotated to e'llect closure ot the door. l thereilore obtain a triple grain seal along the. tree edge ot the door as well as a triple seal along the hinged edge oi said door, as previously described and by means which are comparatively inexpens" 'e and simple ol application and operation.

fit one or both, preferably both ends, or" the shaft L19, l secure a lever 52 having an extension 52 which is adapted to be engaged by the operators toot or a clawbar to iiorce the leve 52 downwardly so as to' permit opening of the hopper door. Said levers 52 are also preferably formed as indicated at 52D so as to provide an additional point of support and connection for the anglo iron 5l. @n its under sico, each lever 52 is provided with a rounded bearing sur- 4face 52 at the outer end of which .may be formed a stop shoulder 521 Coperable with each lever 52 is a locking lever 53 pivoted to the bracket'- l as indicated at 5d. Theloiver end ot the lever 53 carries an inmirdly extending shoulder 53 adapted to ride upon the earn surilace 52 and thereby force the closure mechanism to -fully closed position. At its upper end, the lever is formed With a curved 'flange 53h slotted as indicated at 55 to receive the usual lead seal Which is also extended through a, correspoiiding opening 5G provided in the peripheral flange ot a pivoted locking dog 5T also mouned on the bracket 117. is will be evident, the locking dog 57 .is firstknoclred out or engagement with the lever and then the latter has its lower end pushed back- Wardly, 'thereby relieving the lever and permitting` opening of 'the hopper door.

l have herein shoivn and described what l now consider the preferred manner oi carrying out my invention as applied to a convertible box car, but the same is merely illustratiif'e since it .is evident that various features of the invention may be used to advantage in other types el cars. l contemplate all changes and modifica-tions 'that come Within the scope ot the claims ap pended hereto.

l claim:

1. In a car provided vrith a hopper having a discharge opening, the combination with hopper door pivoted along one edge and adapted to close said opening, said edge being roiu'ided; oi; a sealing member coperable With said edge of the door ext-ending lengthwise of the door edge and having a lat intermediate Web and side flanges eX- tending therefrom toward 'the door and Within which is oscillatably movable said rounded edge oit the door, said rounded edge lnifving lines oi Contact with the inner laces of saidv flanges and with said ivob.

2. ln a car provided with a hopper having a discharge oiening, the combination with a hopper door pivoted along one edge and adapted to close said opening, said edge being rounded; ot a sealing member coperable With said edge of the door extending lengthwise ol the door edge and having ailat intermediate Web and side flanges diverging therefrom toward the door and Within which is oscillatably movable said rounded edge ol the door, said flanges being curved to conform 'to the curved edge olf the door, said curved edge of the door having lines ot tangency with intervening spaces with both ot said flanges and the Web of said member.

3. In a car provided vvit-h a hopper having a discharge opening, the combination With a hopper door pivoted along one edge, said edge being constituted by a'curled section oli sheet metal; and means for I Jivotally suporting said edge of the door, said means including a T-shaped element having a shank extending through a slot in said curled edge, the branches of the r--shaped element being of cylindrical form and cooperating` with the interior oi the curled edge.

d. ln a car provided with hopper ha ving a discharge opening, the combination with a hopper door pivote-d along one edge, said edge having a rounded exterior surface; ott means for pivotally supporting said door along said edge, said means including a nlu-bolt adjustably secured to a lined part of the car, the shank of said T-bolt extending through said edge oit the door and the branches ot the T-bolt being substantially cylindrical. and providing` a bearing lor said edge of the door.

5. ln a car provided with a hopper naving a discharge opening, the combination with a hopper door pivoted along one edge and adapted to close said opening, said edge being rounded; of a sealing member cooperable with said edge of the door, said member being secured to a xed part of the car and extending lengthwise of said edge, said member being of substantially trough shape in cross section and Within which .is oscillatably mounted said edfie g` and means providing a pivotal connection lor said edge of the door, said means iiicluding` a T-shaped element the shank of which extends through said rounded edge oit the door, the branches of said T-shaped element being substantially cylindrical and extending parallel to the edge ot the door on the inner side of the rounded edge thereof.

6. In a car provided with a hopper havin g` a discharge opening, the combination with a hopper door adapted t0 close said opening, said door having its pivotal edge rounded; of a sealing member coperable with and extending lengthwise ot said edge ot the door, said member being secured to a fixed part ot the car and of substantially trough shape in cross section and itting over said rounded edge; andI means for pivotally supporting said edge oi the door, including, a T-bolt having the shank thereof extending through a slot in said edge ot the door, said T-bolt being adjustably secured to a iixed part ot the car.

7. In a car provided withl a hopper having a discharge opening, the combination with a hopper door having the main part thereof comprised of sheet metal, one edge of said sheet metal being curled; of a sealing member coperablc with said curled edge ci the door, said member being secured to a iixed part ot the car and extending lengthwise of said edge, said member being ot substantially trough shape in cross section and within which is oscillatably disposed said curled edge; and a plurality of T-bolts adjustably secured to lixed portions of the car, said curled edges having` slots therein through which the shanl-rs ci said T-bolts extend, the branches of each T-bolt being of substantially cylindrical form and fitting against the inner side ot the cu'led edge.

8. In a car provided with a hopper having a downwardly inclined hopper bottom and a discharge opening, the combination with a hinged hopper door adapted to close said opening; of means for forming a grain seal between the meeting edges ot said door and hopper bottom, said means including a member having a bulbed edge secured to the hopper bottom, said bulbed edge extending beyond the hopper bottom proper and a curved flanged edge on the door arranged to tit over said bulb when the door is in closed position; and means for holding said door in closed position.

9. In a car provided with a hopper having a downwardly inclined hopper bottom and a discharge opening, the combination with a bulb angle iron secured to the lower edoe of said hopper bottom with the bulb thereo't projecting beyond the hopper bottom; ot a hinged hopper door adapted to close said opening, said door having its lower edge formed with a curved flange adapted to ht over said bulb; and means tor holding said door in closed position.

10. In a car, the combination with a hopper including a downwardly inclined hopper bottom; ot a hopper door hinged along its upper edge and adapted to close the hopper opening, the meeting edges of said door and hopper bottom having coperating litting sections projecting outwardly from the planes ot both the door and the hopper bottom; and mechanism for clamping said tittino sections together including, a member osciilatable about an axis parallel and adj acent to said iitting sections, said member extending lengthwise ot said lhtting sections and formed to wedge thereover when moved to operative position.

ll. In a car, the combination with a hop per including a donfi'iwardly inclined hcpper bottom; ot hopl e' door hinged along its upper edge and adapted to close the hopper opening, the meeting edges of said door and hopper bottom having cooperating litting sections projecting outwardly trom the planes ci' both the door and the hopper bottom; and mechanism for clamping said fitting sections together includaig, a member oscillatable about an anis parallel and adjacent to said iitting sections, said member extending lengthwise ot said fitting tions and formed to wedge thereover when moved to operative position, said member being et continuous angle formation.

l2. In a car, the combination with a hopper including a downwardly inclinedhopper bottom; ot a hopper door hinged along its upper edge and adapted to close the hopper opening, the meeting edges ot said doeiI and hopper bottom having coperati'eig fitti g sections projecting outwardly from the planes ot both the door and the hopper heb tom; a shaiit rotatably mounted about an axis parallel to the lower edge ot the hopper bottom and beneath the hopper bottom; a plurality oi arms rigidly carried by said shaft; and an angle iron mounted on said arms, said angle iron extending lengthwise of the litting sections ot the door and hopper bottom and adapted to wedge oi. the latter when the shaft vis swung to clos-ed position.

13. In a ear, the combination with a hop per having a downwardly inclined hopper bottom; oit a bulb angle iron secured to and extending lengthwise of the lower edge oi the hopper bottom with the bulb projecting beyond the hopper bottom; a hopper door pivotally mounted along its upper edge, the lower edge of said door having a curved flange adapted to `lit over said bulb; a shaft extending parallel to the bulb angle iron and mounted within the angle thereof; and an angle iron carried by said shaft and extending lengthwise ot the meeting edges ot the door and hopper bottom, said angle iron being arranged to llt over said bulb and curved flange when in operative position.

la. In a car, the combination with a hopper having a downwardly inclined hopper bottom; ot a hopper door pivoted along its upper edge adapted to close the opening Aoit the hopper; and mechanism for holding said door in closed position including, a shatt, a lever rigidly secured to said shaft and having a wedge-camming surface, a pivotally mounted lock lever having coperating wedge-eamming shoulder engageable with said surface to 'l'orce said first named lever positively in a Closing direction, and a locking dog coperable with said lock lever.

15. In a ear, the combination with a hopper having a downwardly inclined hopper bottom and vertical ends; of a hopper door pivotally mounted to swing about its upper edge, the lower edge o'l the door and the lower edge of the hopper bottom having eoperating grain-sealing means; a shaft extending lengthwise oit the hopper bottom parallel to its lower edge; bearingv brackets tor said shaft secured to the outer faces ot the hopper ends; an angle iron extending parallel to said shaft and rigidly supported thereby, said angle iron being adapted to lit over the grain-seal-forming means et the door and hopper bottom; a lever secured to said shaft at one end thereof and having a ram surface; a lock lever pivotally mounted on one ot said brackets adjacent said first named lever and having a cam shoulder ooperable with the Cam surface oil the first named lever; and a locking dog coperable with said locking lever.

16. lnacar, the combination with a hopper having a downwardly inclined hopper bottoni sheet and a bulb angle iron entending along and secured to the lower edge of said bottom sheet; oit a hopper door having a rounded upper edge; a grain-sealing member rigidly attached to the oar body and coperable with said rounded edge ot the door, said sealing member being o'l" substantially trough shape in cross section and fitting over said rounded edge, the lower edge of said door having a curved flange arranged to lit over the bulb edge ot said bulb angle iron; and means 'for looking said door in closed position.

17. 1n a car, the combination with a hopper having a downwardly 'inclined hopper bottom sheet and a bulb angle iron extending along and secured to the lower edge of said bottom sheet; of a hopper door having a rounded upper edge, a grain-sealing member rigidly attached to the car body and cooperable with said rounded edge ot the door, seid sealing member being oli substantially trough shape in cross section and fitting over said rounded edge, the lower edge of said door having a curved flange arranged to fit over the bulb edge of said bulb angle iron, shaft oscillatably mounted in the angle oit said bulb iron; an angle iron rigidly earried by said shaft and extending parallel thereto, said angle iron itting over said curved flange and bulb when in operative position; and means `for locking said shalt in operative position.

1S. ln a. car provided with a hopper, having a discharge opening, the combination with a hopper door adapted to swing about its upper edge and to close said opening, said edge being rounded; of a sealing` member coperable with said edge of th-e door and extending lengthwise thereof, said niember having a horizontal upper llat web and downwardly extending flanges along each edge ot said web, the rounded edge of the door litting within the flanges and web of said member; lined means on the ear to which said member is secured; and means Afor maintaining said rounded edge of the door in operative relation with said meinber, said means including an element having a shank extending through a slot in said rounded edge, said shank extending also through the web of said member.

ln witness that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 21st day ot l `ebruary, A. D. 1921.

ARGYLE CAMPBELL. "".Vitnesses Cenina GAILING, Urn-i C. PEKIN. 

